United View- Ben McCarthy

Manchester United rounded off their league season on a high, with successive wins over Newcastle and Brighton.

Even though the Reds have finished well, their two wins weren’t enough to finish in a European place, with Erik ten Hag’s side needing to win the FA Cup to earn a spot in the Europa League.

United have had a poor record against Brighton in recent encounters, losing their previous four fixtures in the Premier League. However, they turned the tables on Sunday with goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojliund, earning a 2-0 win at the Amex Stadium.

Statistically, this has been Manchester United’s worst-ever season in the Premier League, finishing eight with 60 points having lost 14 games. While the league campaign has been a disaster, the Reds have the chance to salvage their season with a trip to Wembley.

Erik ten Hag’s side beat Newport, Nottingham Forrest and Liverpool on their way to Wembley, before their unforgettable 3-3 draw with Coventry in the Semi Final – winning on penalties. Thus teeing up a repeat of last season’s Final against Manchester City.

Having just won the league for a fourth successive time, City will be looking to make it a Double. United, having finished outside a European position, will need to win on Saturday to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Admittedly this is a big ask of United. The Reds have been inconsistent throughout the season and have already lost twice to Pep Guardiola’s side in the league – conceding six and scoring just one. But despite the challenge, some key players may just return at the right time ahead of the clash.

Lisandro Martinez, who has been absent for the majority of 23/24, started in the win against Brighton – with Raphael Varane and Marcus Rashford appearing as substitutes.

Whether or not Varane can start the match and partner Martinez is unforeseen, but should he make an appearance, it will be his final one in a Manchester United shirt, having announced his departure from Old Trafford at the end of his contract. An extra impetuous for him to end his time at United with his second trophy for the club.

And with the managerial situation still in limbo, this could be the last time Erik ten Hag takes charge as Manchester United manager. But that remains an issue unlikely to be resolved until after the summer.

On the bright side, United go into the final with some form behind them, winning their previous two games. With ten Hag adopting a different setup, deploying Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay as split strikers and having Hojlund make an impact off the bench.

But how do United go about beating a City side that has hit form once again the final stage of the season? The Champions have thwarted Arsenal on the way to their fifth title under Guardiola, but they aren’t completely invincible.

Pep has made his side much more difficult to counter against but that ‘weakness’ does still exist in his side. Therefore, United will have to be airtight without the ball and devastating with it. Hopefully, Marcus Rashford can produce another wonder strike similar to at the Etihad back in March.

Most importantly, United will need to stay in the game and frustrate the Blues. They lasted around 10 seconds in last season’s final before going behind, so anything is an improvement.

The Reds have shown they thrive in chaos and will have to find a way to disrupt City’s ultra-controlled approach, how they go about that though is easier said than done.

Regardless, Saturday is going to be a season-defining match for Manchester United. One that could swing either way as their highest or lowest moment of the campaign.